Share This Story!

The top college hoops freshmen in the country

Freshmen burst onto the scene every year and have an immediate impact. Although not every first-year player can have the kind of sensational season that Anthony Davis had in 2011-12 at Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to a national championship before becoming the first pick in the NBA draft, there are plenty who should make their presence felt this winter.
Here are the 16 best:

Post to Facebook

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Join the Nation's Conversation

The top college hoops freshmen in the country

None

Freshmen burst onto the scene every year and have an immediate impact. Although not every first-year player can have the kind of sensational season that Anthony Davis had in 2011-12 at Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to a national championship before becoming the first pick in the NBA draft, there are plenty who should make their presence felt this winter.
Here are the 16 best:
Thomas E. Witte, USA TODAY

None

C Steven Adams, Pittsburgh, 7-0: An effective shot blocker with a versatile offensive game, the big man with international experience from New Zealand could help Pitt rebound from a subpar season.
Mark L. Baer, US Presswire

None

G-F Kyle Anderson, UCLA, 6-9: An All-USA selection from New Jersey prep powerhouse St. Anthony’s could create big matchup problems in the Pac-12. Lost six games in his high school career. Faces NCAA eligibility questions.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

None

F Brandon Ashley, Arizona, 6-8: A third-team All-USA choice who averaged 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds as a high school senior. Could play either forward spot.
Mark L. Baer, US Presswire

None

C Isaiah Austin, Baylor, 7-1: Another third-team All-USA selection, the Texas product is an outstanding shot blocker with a large wingspan and is a good shooter for a big man.
Brian Spurlock, US Presswire

None

F Anthony Bennett, UNLV, 6-8: A Canadian star by way of Nevada’s Findlay Prep, he was a second-team All-USA selection. The most highly touted recruit in years for the Rebels.
Brian Spurlock, US Presswire

None

F DaJuan Coleman Syracuse, 6-9: An local product from Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.) High will add heft to the Orange front line after averaging 21.5 points and 14.1 rebounds as a senior.
Janet B. Kummerer, AP

None

F Perry Ellis, Kansas, 6-8: A second-team All-USA pick, he won four consecutive state titles at Wichita Heights High and averaged 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds as a senior.
Peter Schneider, AP

None

G Archie Goodwin, Kentucky, 6-5: An Arkansas product who is a versatile slasher. He can play in the backcourt or on the wing and should be a perfect fit for the Wildcats’ offensive system.
Matt Stone, The Courier-Journal

None

G Gary Harris, Michigan State, 6-4: He should make an immediate contribution and become one of the Big Ten’s top backcourt players right away. Considered one of the top shooting guard prospects in the nation after being named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball.
J. Kyle Keener, USA TODAY

None

G-F Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, 6-6: An All-USA choice from Las Vegas and one of the nation’s top prospects after averaging 29.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a senior. But the NCAA has been investigating questions surrounding his amateurism.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

None

F Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, 6-10: The national high school player of the year, he’s considered the gem of John Calipari’s latest recruiting class. He could be a dominant defender and shot blocker and step into the void left by Davis. But those are big shoes to fill, and there are questions about his offensive game.
James Crisp, AP

None

F-C Tony Parker, UCLA, 6-9: The Georgia product comes west as another member of Ben Howland’s outstanding recruiting class. Had averages of 16.8 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks as a senior.
Hyosub Shin, AP

None

F Alex Poythress, Kentucky: He migrated from Tennessee to Lexington as a third-team All-USA choice after a standout high school career in which he averaged better than 30 points and 11 rebounds a game.
Mark Zerof, US Presswire

None

G Rodney Purvis, North Carolina State, 6-3: A Raleigh, N.C., product who stayed home to help continue the Wolfpack’s resurgence. An All-USA third-team pick, averaged 26.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists as a senior.
Brian Spurlock, US Presswire

None

G Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, 6-4: The Cowboys could rise in the Big 12 behind this All-USA pick, who led Marcus High to its second consecutive Texas 5A state title by averaging 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
Vernon Bryant , The Dallas Morning News

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

None

Freshmen burst onto the scene every year and have an immediate impact. Although not every first-year player can have the kind of sensational season that Anthony Davis had in 2011-12 at Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to a national championship before becoming the first pick in the NBA draft, there are plenty who should make their presence felt this winter.
Here are the 16 best: